Rodney Linn Beans

Durango resident Rodney Linn Beans died of a heart attack Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at his home. He was 57.

Mr. Beans was born to Stanley and Sarah E. Beans on Sept. 10, 1955, in Seneca, Kan. He grew up in Kansas, Brazil and Alabama.

On July 22, 1977, he married Karen Fenner in Decatur, Ala. They had three children together before her death in 2003.

Mr. Beans was a medic in the Army after graduation from high school. He went on to graduate from the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering.

He worked on medical equipment for General Electric for more than 21 years and was considered one of the best troubleshooters in the country, his family said. Mr. Beans retired from GE in 2006 after being based in Georgia and New Mexico and moved to Durango later that year.

On June 17, 2006, he married Roxanne Brown at the Angus McPherson Memorial Chapel at Fort Lewis College.

Camping, fishing, and handyman work were Mr. Beans’ idea of fun, his family said.

“Rodney could fix anything that needed to be done,” his family said. “He was very involved in his church, Durango Christian Church, and volunteered many hours as a deacon at the church. In addition, he worked many days at the Four Corners Christian Camp to ensure that a safe and trouble-free environment existed for the camp kids.”

Mr. Beans was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Karen Beans.

He is survived by his wife of six years, Roxanne Beans, of Durango; sons Samuel Beans of Durango and Shane Beans of Parker; daughter, Sarah Beans, of Rio Rancho, N.M.; brothers Yandell Beans of Durango and Ronnie Beans of Crane Hill, Ala.; sister, Marjorie Weeks, of Huntsville, Ala.; two stepgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Durango Christian Church, 255 E. 11th St. A graveside burial will take place Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Decatur, Ala.